5D4N – Colourful Bario Market – Day 4

On the way back to Labang Guesthouse, Lian opened the retractable hardtop so I could stand and enjoy the fresh morning air of Bario.

Thank you Auntie Lucy for the sweatshirt. 🙂

I told Lian that I wanted to stop by at Bario’s Saturday marketplace where the locals host a market day at the marketplace to sell their fresh fruit, vegetables and variety of local products. Although there are aplenty jungle resources, the products sold at Bario market is not cheap.

Ladies are among the busiest at the market. I wonder if barter system is still relevant in this part of Malaysia.

Vegetable and fruits being sold aren’t plenty. Just enough for the whole kampung (village) to consume. The price of the veg is surprisingly high.

Bario snacks.

The marketplace was bustling with locals. The coffee shops were full. The Kelabits from secluded villages flocked the marketplace to sell their products. Surprisingly, everything was sold at an expensive price similar to that of Kuala Lumpur.

There are several shops at the marketplace that sell trinkets and local crafts such as beads and rattan bags.

This auntie won the best dress for Bario market. Just because you are living in a faraway highland, it doesn’t mean you can’t be high on fashion.

I just love how she dressed herself for the market day.
Take notice of the bicycle rental priced at RM35 per day as advertised on the back.

Auntie Lucy and her friends enjoying their breakfast.

They called us out to check out their exotic breakfast.

Bee porridge in Bario. Another type of porridge available at Bario Market is bubur kulat sisir.

It seems like Bario market day is the day of the week in which all the Kelabits look forward to. The market street was full with locals and everyone donned their best outfit. We ended up having to wait for a seat to eat our breakfast. After that, we went back to Labang Guesthouse and spent the day resting and hanging around the guesthouse.

This is my final piece on Bario. Bario is special, so does the people who live there. They are truly inspiring!